Kangpokpi: The Kuki Students’ Organisation (KSO), Twilang Block, on Wednesday issued a strong rejoinder to the press release issued by the Senapati District Students’ Association (SDSA) and its federating units on 23rd September, 2026, questioning the justification of a prolonged economic blockade and the obstruction of public movement along the vital Imphal-Tamei (IT) Road.
In a press statement bearing Ref. No. KSO-TB/26/SDSA-01, the student body stated that it was compelled to respond to what it termed as a “so-called” press release by the SDSA. The rejoinder is centered on four major points – the humanitarian impact of the blockade, the role of student bodies in politics, refutation of communal allegations, and the constitutional validity of the agitation.
Challenging the SDSA’s claim that its agitation is peaceful and democratic, the KSO Twilang Block asked on what basis the blocking of public movement, the shutting down of IT Road, and the imposition of an economic blockade on essential commodities such as food, medicine and fuel can be termed as peaceful. The organisation alleged that the blockade has been in place for over 120 days, causing severe hardship to the general public in the Twilang area and beyond.
The student body further alleged that the obstruction has prevented timely medical intervention for vulnerable sections including babies, newborns and pregnant mothers, which has led to loss of lives. Terming it highly unbecoming of a student organisation, the KSO said the SDSA must own responsibility for the humanitarian consequences. It also pointed out that IT Road was never mentioned in the United Naga Council’s (UNC) list of highways to be blocked, and claimed that the SDSA’s independent decision to block IT Road shows its own vested interest.
In its second point, the KSO stated that student bodies should not be used in what it described as a “dirty and bloodied political game.” Emphasising that the primary duty of student organisations is to look after student welfare, education and the future of the youth, it said student bodies are not supposed to be actively involved in political confrontations. The organisation accused the SDSA of being at the forefront of spearheading the blockade that has caused untold hardship and said it is unbecoming of a student organisation to drag innocent students into confrontation for political mileage.
Addressing what it called false and communal allegations made in the SDSA press release, the KSO Twilang Block said the language used by the SDSA was highly derogatory, communal and one-sided. It said such false propaganda will not bring justice but will only escalate tension and deepen the divide between communities living in the region. The organisation categorically refuted all baseless allegations levelled against its community and called for a fair and impartial approach to justice.
The KSO also demanded that if the SDSA truly seeks justice for innocent lives lost, it should give the Government a chance and hand over the case to the National Investigation Agency (NIA). It questioned whether the Government should act as per the dictates of the SDSA and asserted that justice must be delivered for all innocent lives lost, from all communities, without any bias or selective approach.
On its firm stand, the KSO cited violation of Article 21 of the Constitution of India. The organisation clarified that it has not defied any genuine democratic agitation, but it will not remain a silent spectator when public movement is blocked and essential supplies are cut off in the name of agitation. It stated that the blockade imposed by the SDSA is a direct violation of Article 21, which guarantees the Right to Life, noting that the Hon’ble Supreme Court has clearly interpreted that the Right to Life includes the right to health, food, medicine and free movement.
Reaffirming its commitment, the KSO, Twilang Block said it will continue to stand firm for the rights of the public for free movement and unhindered access to essential commodities as guaranteed under Article 21. It appealed to the Government not to succumb to one-sided pressure and to immediately ensure free movement on the highways and delivery of justice without bias, upholding the constitutional rights of all citizens.
Finally, the student organisation issued a caution, stating that if any untoward incident arises out of the forceful obstruction of essential commodities, the SDSA and its federating units shall bear sole responsibility for all consequences. The statement was issued by the Department of Information & Publicity, Kuki Students’ Organisation, Twilang Block, Kangpokpi District.
